Device for holding a bow upright

ABSTRACT

The subject matter disclosed in this specification pertains to a device for holding a bow upright. The device has two elongated with a connecting hinge. The hinge may be adjusted such that angle between the elongated posts. A hole is provided in the hinge that permits a faster to extend through the hole and into a threaded hole of a bow riser. The bow is held upright by being supported on a portion of the first elongated post, a portion of the second elongated post and a portion of the lower riser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/635,920 (filed Apr. 20, 2012) and U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 61/789,713 (filed Mar. 15, 2013) the entirety ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a device for holding abow in an upright position.

When not in use, bows are traditionally stored in a storage case, astorage rack or hung in an upright position from a mount. When huntingin the field, such cases, racks or mounts are typically not available.Hunters must place the bow on the ground or otherwise place the bow atan angle against a nearby object, such as a tree. This risks damagingthe bow and exposes the string, cam and limb pockets to dirt and otherdebris. It also places the bow at risk of being stepped on. It wouldtherefore be desirable to provide an alternate mechanism for holding abow upright while the hunter is in the field.

The discussion above is merely provided for general backgroundinformation and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining thescope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One or more support structures extend from an attachment point of acompound bow to the ground allowing the bow to stand in an uprightposition.

The subject matter disclosed in this specification pertains to a devicefor holding a bow upright. The device has two elongated with aconnecting hinge. The hinge may be adjusted such that angle between theelongated posts. A hole is provided in the hinge that permits a fasterto extend through the hole and into a threaded hole of a bow riser. Thebow is held upright by being supported on a portion of the firstelongated post, a portion of the second elongated post and a portion ofthe lower riser.

This brief description of the invention is intended only to provide abrief overview of subject matter disclosed herein according to one ormore illustrative embodiments, and does not serve as a guide tointerpreting the claims or to define or limit the scope of theinvention, which is defined only by the appended claims. This briefdescription is provided to introduce an illustrative selection ofconcepts in a simplified form that are further described below in thedetailed description. This brief description is not intended to identifykey features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor isit intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited toimplementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in thebackground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features of the invention can beunderstood, a detailed description of the invention may be had byreference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawingsillustrate only certain embodiments of this invention and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of theinvention encompasses other equally effective embodiments. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale, emphasis generally being placed uponillustrating the features of certain embodiments of the invention. Inthe drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughoutthe various views. Thus, for further understanding of the invention,reference can be made to the following detailed description, read inconnection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a profile view of a bow with an exemplary device for holding abow upright;

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D depict the components of exemplaryfirst and second posts of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C providedepictions of the other components of a hinge of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts the hinge in an assembled state;

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a ledge adjacent a flat side of one of thecomponents of the hinge; and

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are cross-sections of an exemplary hinge while FIG.7C provide a cross-section of an exemplary bolt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a profile view of a bow 100. Bow 100 comprises a riser 102, anupper limb 104 and a lower limb 106, each of which terminates in arespective cam 108, 110. The bow 100 comprises a grip 112 disposed belowan arrow rest 114. Limb bolts connect the limbs 104, 106 to the riser102. Disposed between the grip 112 and the lower limb 106 is a threadedhole 116 that, in a conventional bow, receives a stabilizer. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, the stabilizer has been replaced with a device 200for holding a bow upright. The device 200 comprises a first post 202 anda second post 204. The first post 202 and the second post 204 areconnected to one another by a hinge 206. The length of the first post202 and second post 204 are selected such that, with the properadjustment of an angle provided by the hinge 206, the first post 202,second post 204 an a lower portion of the bow (e.g. cam 110 and/or lowerlimb 106). In one embodiment, the first post 202 and the second post 204comprise two or more segments joined together by screw/thread fasteners.For example, a threaded screw at the end of a first segment may beattached to a threaded hole at the end of a second segment. The firstsegment and second segment are then attached to form, for example, thefirst post 202. This provides flexibility with regard to the length ofthe first post 202 and second post 204. By providing several segments ofvarious lengths, many types and styles of bows may utilize the device200.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D depict the components of the exemplary first post 202and second post 204 in further detail. Each post 202, 204 comprises anelongated rod 206 that terminates on one end with a fastener 208 and onthe other end with a foot 216. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, thefastener 208 is a threaded screw. Each post 202, 204 further comprises arounded head 210, 211, respectively, with a threaded opening 212 on aflat lateral edge 220 of the rounded head. Other suitable openings mayalso be provided, depending on the nature of the fastener 208. Forexample, a snap-fit connector may be used. A hole 214 is provided in therounded head 210 for receiving a bolt or other similar fastener. Thefastener 208 securely engages with the opening 212 to hold the roundedhead 210 and the respective post 202, 204 together. In anotherembodiment, a threaded opening is provided in the end of the post 202,204 and a fastener 208 is present on a lateral edge of the rounded head.Other suitable mechanisms for attaching the rounded head 210 with arespective post 202, 204 would be apparent to those skilled in the artafter benefitting from reading this specification. The foot 216 may bethe endpoint of the post or may be a cap placed over the end of the postto provide a blunt surface. In some embodiments, a footpad is providedto function as the foot 216.

The rounded heads 210, 211 have a curved outer surfaces. For example,rounded head 210 is depicted in FIGS. 2B to 2D. Rounded head 211 has asubstantially circular circumference 218 except for the flat lateraledge 220. The flat bottom edge 222, which is perpendicular the flatlateral edge 220, is also flat. The curved top surface 224, which isopposite the bottom edge 222, is curved. The rounded heads 210, 211 havea substantially similar construction and are generally interchangeable.The curved top surface of the rounded heads 210, 211, in conjunctionwith other components of hinge 206, provide a hinge-like motion. FIG. 3Ato FIG. 3C and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C provide depictions of the othercomponents of hinge 206.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show alternate views of an inner adaptor 300. Theinner adaptor 300 has a flat side 302 and a curved side 304, oppositethe flat side 302. A hole 306 passes through both sides. In use, flatside 302 is disposed against the riser 102 proximate the threaded hole116. Since conventional bows have flat surfaces near threaded hole 116,the flat side 302 securely mates with such conventional bows. The curvedside 304 has a curvature configured to mate with the curved top surface224 of the rounded head 210 or 211. See FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show alternate views of an outer adaptor 400. Theouter adaptor 400 has a flat side 402 and a curved side 404. A hole 406passes through both sides. In use, the curved side 404 has a curvatureconfigured to mate with the curved top surface 224 of the rounded head210 or 211. See FIG. 4C. The flat side 402 faces the front of the bow toprovide a flat surface for the attachment of a conventional stabilizer.

FIG. 5 depicts the hinge 206 in an assembled state. The flat bottomedges 222 of the rounded heads 210, 211 are placed in direct contactwith one another. A bolt 502 is passed through a hole 500 that extendsthe length of the hinge 206 and feeds into the threaded hole 116 of bow100 (see FIG. 1). By loosening the bolt 502 and sliding the curved topsurfaces 224 over the curved sides 304, 404 of the inner or outeradaptor 300, 400 the angle of posts 202, 204 may be adjusted.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a ledge 600 adjacent the flat side 402 of outeradaptor 400. The ledge 600 catches a head of the bolt 500 whilepermitting a shaft of the bolt 500 to pass through the hole 406. Inanother embodiment, a threaded nut is used instead of the bolt 500. Sucha threaded nut provides threads to receive a stabilizer. In such aconfiguration the device 200 may be used in conjunction with astabilizer. Alternatively, when a bolt 500 is used, the device 200 isused instead of a stabilizer.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are cross-sections of the hinge 206. The bolt 502(shown in phantom on FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, but also see FIG. 7C) iscomprised of a first threaded portion 702, proximate the inner adapter300. The first threaded portion 702 fits into the threaded hole 116 (seeFIG. 1). The bolt 502 is further comprised of a second threaded portion704 that may receive the threads of a stabilizer. As shown in FIG. 7Cthe first threaded portion 702 is on an external surface of the bolt 502and provides a male fitting. The second threaded portion 704 is on aninternal surface of the bolt 502 and provides a female fitting. Theexternal diameter of the second threaded portion 702 is wider than theshaft of the bolt 502 to accommodate the girth of a male thread of astabilizer. The internal diameter of the second threaded portion 702 is,in the embodiment depicted, substantially the same diameter as the firstthreaded portion 702. In this fashion the second threaded portionpresents a fitting that is substantially identical to the threaded hole116 (FIG. 1).

In use, the bolt 502 may be loosened to permit the user to rotate thehinge 206 in the direction of arrow 706. Although arrow 706 is shown intwo-dimensions, the reader should appreciate that the hinge 206 isadjustable in three dimensions. To facilitate such adjustments, the hole214 in the first and second headers 210, 211 is conical. The crosssections of the conical hole is shown in FIG. 7A and 7B. This conicalhole is also apparent in FIGS. 2B and 2C. The conical hole 214 is shapedsuch that the conical hole has a narrow portion proximate the flatbottom edge (e.g. bottom edge 222) and a wide portion proximate thecurved top surface (e.g. top surface 224) of each respective header. Dueto the conical shape of the hole the first and second posts 202, 204 maybe adjusted to bring them closer or further away from the bow. Thisprovides a substantially more adjustable stand than prior art bowstands.

In one embodiment, the components are formed of a lightweight butdurable material, such an aluminum. This permits a user to keep thedevice 200 attached without the bow's balance being negatively impacted.The weight of the outer adaptor 400 may be customized to maintainbalance. Additionally or alternatively a conventional stabilizer may beattached to the outer adaptor 400.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for holding a bow upright, the devicecomprising: a bow comprising a threaded hole in a lower riser of thebow; a first elongated post; a second elongated post; a hinge connectingthe first elongated post with the second elongated post such that anglebetween the first elongated post and the second elongated post may beadjusted by operating the hinge, the hinge having a hole; a fastenerextending through the hole of the hinge and into the threaded hole ofthe riser; the first elongated post and second elongated post having alength such that the bow may be positioned upright on a portion of thefirst elongated post, a portion of the second elongated post and aportion of the lower riser.
 2. The assembly as recited in claim 1,wherein the hinge comprises a first header with a first flat bottomedge, the first header connected to the first elongated post; a secondheader with a second flat bottom edge, the second header connected tothe second elongated post; the first flat bottom and second flat bottombeing in direct contact such that the first flat bottom and second flatbottom slide over one another when the hinge is adjusted.
 3. Theassembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the first header and secondheader comprise first and second curved top surfaces, respectively, eachopposite the first and second flat bottom edges, respectively.
 4. Theassembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the hinge comprises an inneradaptor with a first curved side that is in direct contact with thefirst curved top surface of the first header.
 5. The assembly as recitedin claim 4, wherein the hinge comprises an outer adaptor with a secondcurved side that is in direct contact with the second curved top surfaceof the second header.
 6. A device for holding a bow upright, the devicecomprising: a first elongated post with a first header at one end; asecond elongated post with a second header at one end; the first headerand the second header each comprising first and second curved topsurfaces, respectively, each opposite respective first and second flatbottom edges; an inner adaptor with a first curved side that is indirect contact with the first curved top surface of the first header; anouter adaptor with a second curved side that is in direct contact withthe second curved top surface of the second header; the device having ahole that passes through the first header, the second header, the inneradaptor and the outer adaptor.
 7. The device as recited in claim 6,wherein the hole has a diameter that changes over its length.
 8. Thedevice as recited in claim 6, wherein the hole has a first diameterproximate the first curved surface of the first header and a seconddiameter proximate the first bottom edge of the first header, the firstdiameter being larger than the second diameter.
 9. The device as recitedin claim 6, wherein the hole has a first diameter proximate the firstcurved surface of the first header and a second diameter proximate thefirst bottom edge of the first header, the first diameter being largerthan the second diameter; and the hole has a third diameter proximatethe second curved surface of the second header and a fourth diameterproximate the second bottom edge of the second header, the fourthdiameter being larger than the third diameter.
 10. An assemblycomprising: a bow comprising a threaded hole in a lower riser of thebow; a device for holding the bow upright, the device comprising: afirst elongated post with a first header at one end; a second elongatedpost with a second header at one end; the first header and the secondheader each comprising first and second curved top surfaces,respectively, each opposite respective first and second flat bottomedges; an inner adaptor with a first curved side that is in directcontact with the first curved top surface of the first header; an outeradaptor with a second curved side that is in direct contact with thesecond curved top surface of the second header; and the device having ahole that passes through the first header, the second header, the inneradaptor and the outer adaptor.